Sheboygan County Ban on Feeding Deer
The Sheboygan County ban on feeding deer, to control the spread of chronic wasting disease, has recently been upheld.
Back in 2003, when CWD was found in a captive elk farm near Sheboygan County, in a neighboring county, both counties enacted county ordinances to ban deer feeding to protect its citizens and control the possible spread of the disease.
The following year, the state legislature restricted baiting and feeding deer in counties such as these and enforced the law by DNR wardens.
In 2017, the state legislature, with strong objections and opposition by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and others organizations, lifted the state ban on baiting and feeding of deer in many counties but left a Sheboygan County ordinance ban of feeding deer in place.
Several people requested a review of the Sheboygan ordinance, including some who wanted it repealed so they could shoot deer over bait.
The Sheboygan County Planning, Resources, Agriculture and Extension Committee did the first review, and discussed the positives and negatives of keeping the Sheboygan County ordinance in place.
After a long discussion, the committee voted 6-0 to keep the county ordinance in place as the best way to slow the spread of CWD and protect its citizens as well as the local deer population.
The Sheboygan County Health and Human Services Committee was given the feeding ban issue to review. After a long discussion and input from the public, the committee voted 5-2 to continue the Sheboygan County deer feeding ban to protect the health of its citizens and limit the spread of CWD in whitetail deer.
On Nov. 7 the full Sheboygan County Board took up a motion to end the Sheboygan County deer feeding ban ordinance. After another discussion and review of the ordinance by county supervisors present took place, the Sheboygan County Board voted 13-8 to continue the feeding ban.
The Sheboygan County Law Committee also reviewed the county deer feeding ban as it may affect local law enforcement. The result: Sheboygan County feeding of deer continues to be against the law and is being done for health and safety reasons.
Since 2003, Sheboygan and neighboring counties have not experienced any new cases of CWD while its feeding ban has been in place. Wild whitetail deer and deer held as captive herds in many other parts of the state, on the other hand, continue to experience new and growing cases of the disease.
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Free testing for CWD
With Wisconsin's annual deer/gun season about half over, hunters will be returning home with their trophy deer.
In Sheboygan County, those harvesting deer, especially older bucks, are encouraged to get their deer tested for CWD. It is free.
Those wishing to get their deer tested by the Department of Natural Resources locally should call DNR staff to make an appointment at 920-893-8541.
Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Calumet and Ozaukee counties have been selected for a three-year intensive deer testing for CWD.
Any hunter wishing to get his/her deer tested for the CWD can also call the number list above for an appointment. All testing is free.
The Plymouth DNR Field offices are at 1155 Pilgrim Road, Plymouth. If you have any questions about any of the DNR rules, you can contact the DNR Call Center toll-free at 888-936-7463. The Call Center is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Deer drives
As it often becomes harder to find and harvest deer as the deer/gun season progresses, some hunters turn to deer drives. While this can be productive, hard work, it can also be dangerous.
Hunting groups need to be careful. They should have a plan in place prior to the drive, even prior to the deer season.
Hunters stationed or posted to shoot deer as they are pushed past them must know where the posted hunters are located, how many drivers are involved, where they will drive and which posted hunters can shoot safely during the drive. It is hard work and some locations can be even tougher.
Physically able hunters should be the only ones allowed to drive the deer, older hunters can be set well off to the side of a deer drive to catch the wise old buck trying to sneak around the hunters on the drive.
Anyway, be careful.
Youth skiing opportunities
The Northern Kettle Moraine Storm Cross Country Ski Team brings approximately 45 fifth- through 12th-grader participants together each year. The purpose of the team is to develop lifetime cross country skiers.
The mission is to get together, learn Nordic Ski techniques, stay in shape, compete as a team, meet other skiers and have fun.
The group is sponsored by the Northern Kettle Moraine Northern Ski Club. The program is open to youth grades 5-12 who do not have conflicts with other winter sports.
For more about the youth team, registration and materials needed, go to their website at greenbushusa.com and click on "Youth Ski Team Info."
December bird counts set
The annual winter bird count held by the Sheboygan County Audubon Society will take place Dec. 16. If you are interested in participating, contact Debbie Dedering at dedering@charter.net.
The Plymouth Bird and Nature Club will hold an annual December bird count along with a potluck dinner at the Intergeneration Center, 1500 Douglas Drive. For more about this bird count, contact Bob Triebensee at 920-893-5156 or Terry Wilk by email at dwik1@wi.rr.com.
Recommended reading for birders
An item from "The Feeder," Sheboygan County Audubon Society's newsletter, recommends "The Crossley ID Guide, Eastern Birds" as a book to review. They say it's different because it contains multiple views of birds in typical habitat settings.
It not only covers plumage and behaviors, but allows the reader to view the birds near and far, flying and perched, front and back.
You may want to check out the book at your local library (if they don't have one, they can get it through the library loan program).
If you enjoy it, you may want to get it for a Christmas gift for yourself, a friend or both.
Deer/gun sight-in
Sheboygan Falls Conservation Club and Sheboygan Rifle and Pistol Club opened their shooting range for deer hunters to sight in their rifle, shotgun or pistol Nov. 11-12.
At the Sheboygan Falls Club, young shooters included Eli Stericklanz, a seventh-grader from Sheboygan Urban Middle School; Rebecca Johnson, junior, Sheboygan Falls High School; and Dan Johnson, Sheboygan Falls to sight in their guns.
Adults present included Tony Jovanovich of Plymouth and Richard Cambell of Sheboygan County.
Jim Baumgart is a wildlife, outdoor and conservation news enthusiast. Send your outdoor news at least 10 days prior to the event to Jim Baumgart, 722 N. 26th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081, or email jimcob@bytehead.com.
Source: https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/life/2017/11/21/sheboygan-county-deer-feeding-ban-upheld-control-chronic-wasting-disease-crosstrails/870234001/
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